NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FirstElement Fuel Inc. puts to rest the question of who will build the
hydrogen fueling network in advance of the fuel cell electric vehicle
launches scheduled for 2015 or sooner. The Company was created to build
out a network of retail hydrogen fueling stations for the fuel cell
electric vehicle market. On Thursday May 1st, the California Energy
Commission announced its decision to award FirstElement Fuel $27.6
Million, which will assist the company in creating a fueling network
that enables consumers to drive and fill up their fuel cell vehicles
throughout the State of California.

“Our goal is a seamless experience for consumers. When they push the
button to start their all-electric fuel cell vehicle, they can go where
they want, when they want, just as if it were a gasoline engine vehicle
- no compromises. Only they will be changing the world with every zero
emission mile they drive,” said Joel Ewanick, Chairman and CEO of
FirstElement Fuel. “That means no range anxiety and 100% reliability. We
are taking the infrastructure debate out of the equation.” Fuel cell
vehicles are viewed as the next generation of clean vehicles by
automakers and the State of California because of their ability to help
clean the air, reduce greenhouse gases, and improve energy security;
however a lack of hydrogen stations remains a potential hurdle to their
commercial success.

California is unique in how it has brought together the State
government, the public, and automakers around the common cause of
enabling a fuel cell vehicle market. The State has long been a strong
proponent of zero emission vehicles, both through vehicle regulations
and infrastructure funding initiatives – such as the California Energy
Commission’s AB 118 program – enacted to help incentivize the
availability of fueling stations. Governor Jerry Brown recently gave
clean vehicles a push by signing an executive order that called for
enabling 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles on California roadways by
2025.

“We want to thank the State of California for their confidence in
FirstElement Fuel,” said Ewanick. “We are honored to be at the center of
the debate on climate change, clean air, and how the hydrogen fuel cell
can have a significant positive impact.”

Ewanick has been a long-time leader in the automotive industry, most
recently serving as General Motors’ Vice President and Global Chief
Marketing Officer. Joining Ewanick at FirstElement Fuel are scientists
formerly with the National Fuel Cell Research Center at UC Irvine, Tim
Brown and Shane Stephens-Romero.

“FirstElement Fuel sees its effort in California as an important first
step. We want to create a business model that is scalable to other U.S.
markets, and throughout the world as the fuel cell market grows. There
will be future monies available from the State, and we plan to engage
automakers to help in any way they can,” Ewanick said. FirstElement Fuel
plans to have its first 19 stations running in the fall of 2015, prior
to the launch of vehicles from various manufacturers. “This is about
enabling an automotive technology that transforms the way we do personal
mobility and electrify the drivetrain. It’s about a better future for
us, and for our children, and that’s what motivates us to come in and
work hard every day.”